Almond, Howell Lead Cougars To 10th Straight Win

PROVO, Utah -- BYU was able to win the second game of a doubleheader as it dominated Southern Utah 10-4 on Wednesday at Gail Miller Field.

“These were both hard-fought games,” said BYU head coach Gordon Eakin. “We didn’t play as hard as we have been, but we found a way to win that first game. We struggled in certain areas but we slugged out the second game too. Our pitching was solid, and we had some good hits.”

The first inning started off eventful after a 3-1 win for BYU in the first game. After two Thunderbird runners reached second and third, SUU’s Madison Resley put SUU up 3-0 with a home run to center field. Almond struck out the Cougars' three outs in the inning.

Up to bat first for BYU, Kristin Delahoussaye got one past the pitcher to reach first. Hit by a pitch, Jessica Fitu took first base with Delahoussaye on second before Atagi got a hold of the ball, allowing Delahoussaye and Fitu to score and cut SUU's lead to 3-2.

The bottom of the second inning proved to be a success for BYU as they were able to score three runs and tak a 5-3 lead. Leadoff batter Carly Duckworth took four balls and first base to start. Stacie Graham followed with a hit deep into center field taking second base herself while Duckworth grabbed third.

A sacrifice by Dugas allowed Duckworth to get a run, knotting the score at 3-3. Delahoussaye drew a walk, putting runners on first and third. Graham took advantage of a passed ball to score while Delahoussaye came around for a run on a fielder's choice to put BYU up, 5-3.

Almond continued on through the fourth with two more strikeouts to put her at a new career high of eight total strikeouts.

Clayton was able to get two RBI in the bottom of the fourth as her hit between the first and second base gap allowed Delahoussaye and Tiffany Messerschmidt to get runs, putting BYU up 7-3.

Hannah Howell came in at the beginning of the fifth inning to replace Almond and went the inning without allowing any runs. Howell would go on to earn the save, claiming three strikeouts.

In the bottom of the sixth, Willard knocked the ball well out of the park and over the scoreboard. Having recorded a home run in game one against SUU, Willard has tallied five home runs in the past four games. Her hit advanced the Cougars to a seven-run lead over SUU at 10-3.

The Cougars took the win and advanced to 22-14 overall. The team will next face off with in-state rival Utah on both Friday and Saturday.